MALAYSIA’S LAW ENFORCEMENT IN FACING COVID-19: AN ANALYSIS OF LEGAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The pandemic's impact has been recorded worldwide due to the 2019 Corona virus. Similarly, in Malaysia, the sorrowful chapter began on March 18, 2020, due to the Covid-19 outbreak, leading to the execution of emergency orders declared by the Federal Government, and subsequently the enforcement of Emergency Ordinance laws in Malaysia. This paperwork discusses the actions by the Malaysian Government in addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic through legal enforcement by the responsible ministries in implementing new norms for the daily lives of the Malaysian people. The relevant ministries involved are the Ministry of Health Malaysia, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Human Resources, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, as well as related government organizations. This is a qualitative study through document analysis of academic journals and related articles. The main documents analysed are Acts, Guidelines, Policies, and Regulations enforced under each Ministry. The initial findings from the round table discussions (RTD) attended by representatives from each Ministry indicate several legal gaps, particularly in the implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) that are not effective. Any gaps or ambiguities that require improvement in ensuring the comfort of the Malaysian people in facing any future pandemic. The study suggests a more effective guideline, considering the Government's capabilities and the Malaysian people, so that it benefits all parties. The Covid-19 outbreak that has occurred in the folds of world history should serve as a lesson for us to be better prepared for the future, even though its challenges come in a different form from this current Covid-19 pandemic.